Kiev was like a Scene from Mad Max 2

Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych agrees to early election as new parliament votes to free rival Yulia Tymoshenko

• 2 hours ago February 22, 2014 7:44AM

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RUSSIAN-backed Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych has agreed to a series of concessions including going back to an original constitution, which will effectively strip him of some power, form a national unity government and hold fresh elections.

The Ukraine Parliament also yesterday voted to decriminalise the statute that saw former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko jailed for seven years in 2001 for abuse of power over a gas deal with Russia.
The glamorous leader who led the 2004 revolt in Ukraine has denied the claims which she said were inspired by the man she ousted a decade ago the now President Yanukovich.
The EU has been demanding her release for years. Ironically it is now up to the president to sign the document to approve his great rival’s release.

Jailed...Opposition supporters hold up a portrait of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Source: AP

Andriy Kozhemyakin, a pro-Tymoshenko deputy, said the move would do away with Soviet-era legislation that allows people in power to destroy political opponents. “We must cut this knot,” he said.
The European Union may have brokered a peace deal between warring parties in Ukraine but tell that to the protest masses as they remain on a war footing and vow to stay in their sprawling encampment in central Kiev for the immediate future.

Peace deal...People gather as the sun sets over Independence Square on February 21, 2014 in Kiev. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

The deal was brokered by senior EU figures and was followed by the Ukranian parliament voting to dismiss the country’s Interior Minister for using violence on his own citizens.
The apparent breakthrough takes the edge off the bloody violence in recent days with harrowing scenes that sparked global alarm of ordinary citizens protesting in the capital city’s Maidan Independence Square cut down by police snipers.
The bloody clashes have claimed 79 lives and injured more than 500 people from both sides.
BATTLE FOR UKRAINE: The pictures that tell the story

Perils of protest ... Demonstrators burn as they stand behind barricades during clashes with police on February 20 in Kiev. Picture: Bulent Kilic Source: AFP

The peace deal also eases tensions between East and West that prompted US President Barack Obama to deny the US-Russian tensions on Ukraine were playing like “some Cold War chessboard”.
British Prime Minister David Cameron also welcomed the apparent peace and said bloody scenes witnessed in past days were shocking “and have no place in 21st century Europe”.
But the timetable for change extends to some nine months and does not include President Yanukovich stepping down, and that to many in Maidan is unpalatable.

In God’s name ... A priest holds a cross and shield during clashes between protesters and riot police in central Kiev on February 20. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ SERGEY GAPON Source: AFP

Mr Obama said he did not want this to spark another East-West Cold War, and urged Russia to assist to stabilise its neighbouring nation.
The White House said Mr Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed it was “critical” that US and EU leaders “stay in close touch in the days ahead on steps we can take to support an end to the violence and a political solution that is in the best interests of the Ukrainian people”.
On Thursday a truce negotiated between Yanukovych and Opposition parties was barely one day old before protesters marched on police lines at the edge of their resistance zone in Independence Square, armed with rocks and petrol bombs.

Tactics ... protesters advance to new positions in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Ukraine’s Interior Ministry says 67 police troops have been captured by protesters in Kiev. Picture: Louisa Gouliamaki Source: AFP

While the EU deal breakthrough saw initial rejoicing on the streets, there was skepticism about the pace of change and mistrust of authorities who just 48 hours earlier were so prepared to fire on their own people.
Tensions remain high and in the square and surrounding streets, barricades were still being reinforced, ranks of protestors were being drilled by former Ukrainian army soldiers and even a contingent of police from nearby city of Lviv arrived to join the blockade.

Dozens killed...A man presses against the side of a van carrying the body of Ustim Holodnyuk, 19, who was killed in fighting between anti-government protesters and police, after a funeral procession through Independence Square on February 21, 2014 in Kiev. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

At St Michael’s Golden Domed Monastery, doctors and nurses are still stocking medicines for their makeshift hospital, while outside volunteers collect sacks of warm clothes, blankets and bedding and make wooden shelters to deliver to the Maidan further down the road.
Palettes of food are also being prepared to feed the tens of thousands who are living or passing through the occupied square.
There is a sense of urgency about their work as they run constant relays with food to fuel the 24-hour protest vigil.
At Maidan overnight crowds chanted “resign, resign, resign” while on stage protestors took turns to voice their anger at the president’s refusal to step down.

Violence...A man cries after seeing the body of Ustim Holodnyuk, 19, who was killed in fighting between anti-government protesters and police. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

“The Maidan will stand up until Yanukovych leaves,” said Anataly Shevchuk, 29.
“That’s the main demand, both for those who were killed, and for those who are still standing on the Maidan.”
Kira Rushnitskaya added: “I hope that the direction of the country changes, but so far the goals of the Maidan have not been achieved, Yanukovych agreed to give up powers to stay in power overall.”
There were shots fired yesterday (SAT AEST) between police and protestors although there were no injuries reported.
The desire by many Ukrainians to step away from the shadow of Russia and integrate more closely with Western Europe remains behind the conflict and many local commentators see far from resolved.

A city destroyed ... anti-government protesters clear debris following continued clashes with police in Independence Square. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

A plea for peace ... A priest addresses police officers to try stop fighting near the Cabinet of Ministers in the centre of Kiev. Picture: AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky Source: AP

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Kiev like a scene 'from Mad Max 2' 3:11